What kind of variation is usually seen in hard cast bullet diameters from commercial vendors? If I order say .452", what kind of range should I expect in the diameters?

I recently ordered a batch of Oregon Trail Laser-Cast bullets (.452" 45LC 255 gr SWC) from MidwayUSA. The two handfulls I measured all were .453 with some a tad more. The response from MidwayUSA was that this was within manufacturers tolerances and hence not defective. Also the weight of every bullet I measured was between 251 and 252 grains.

Hi Aldeer,

I believe that you are within the normal tolerances for mass produced cast bullets, in fact most likely the .453 diameter will help you with accuracy and reducing leading, of course depending on what make of revolver you are pushing them through, and hoping it is not one with undersized cylinder throats.

The weight variation is actually minimal and could be partly accounted for in just the bullet lube or lack of it.

My own brand of cast bullets, which are "a bullet worth waiting for" will have a grain or two of weight variance, but are always within five ten/thousandths of the diameter requested.

I do 'stray' occasionally and shoot Laser Cast mainly to practice totally off hand shooting from the 45/70 and .444. At my age and ability the weight/diameter variance from a standing off hand position is meaningless.

Load 'em up and enjoy them,

Fletch

My original measurements of .453 were on the trailing band. Measuring the leading band, the diameters are mostly .454, with an occasional .4535, and a single .455 in the sample.

Looking at the MidwayUSA site, I see Oregon Trail makes this bullet in .452 and .454 versions. I believe I got a batch of .454 mislabeled as .452.

Aldeer,

If you don't have a sizer for your lead bullets, you might consider getting a .452" sizer die from Lee and running your bullets through it. They don't cost much and you get a bottle of liquid alox with it.

Bill